Swivel attachment for couplers



June 24; 1947.

R. T. M ELHOSE ET AL SWIVEL ATTACHMENT FOR COUPLERS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1Filed Feb. 13, 1945 INVENTORj Rams/er Z MEL/ms: BY R/rmmo 9.64225 v June24, 1947. R. T. McELHOsE r AL 2,423,069

SWIVEL ATTACHMENT FOR COUPLERS Filed Feb. 15, 1945- 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 WW4 P 9 a a IN V EN TORS flirt 2.170s:

1 Rosa 2" BY RICMRD 1?. P4001511.

Patented June 24, 1947 ED STATE 5 A 2,423l062.

SWIVEL Robert T. McElhoseand Richardlt. Farrel1,;ak-

mont, Pa., assignors. to systems inm, oakmontj Pa} Application- Februaryfi, 1945, Serial No. 57357313 7 Claims. (01. es eem),

The. present invention relates to. coupler at! tachments for pressurelubricating systems or the like and: it relates. more particularly toswivel-type attachments for hydraulic couplers or the like.

An object of the present invention. is to pros vide ahcouplerattachmentfor a, pressure lubricating system. Another.- obiect of the,present invention is to provide an. attachment for the coupler in apressure lubricating will permit the coupler to be rotated:independently of the lubricant delivery line, for ready at.- tachmentto: fittings or nipples or the like. Still. another object of thepresent invention is to provide an. attachment adapted for: connection.intermediate thehydraulic coupler and the grease line of a pressurelubricating, system, which will permit a, free swivel. action, of? thecoupler in order; to facilitate connection to differently-positioned andrelatively inaccessible lubricant-receiving fittings or nipples;andwhi'ch will auto matically lockthe; coupler: inpredetermined-position; upon passage or greasetherethrougm,

Other objects; and advantag-es or the; present;

invention: are: apparent in the following detailed zi description=,.appended; claims and; accompanying;

drawings.

For the purpose of: illustrating; the; invention, there-is shown. in.the; accompanying drawings; one. form thereof which is at. present;preferred;

although it u is to be: understood that ithe. various" instrumentalitiesof which the invention cone sists can be. variously arranged" andorganized andathat, the: invention is not limited; to theprecise:arrangements and. organizations; ot the in:- strumentalities as: herein;shown and: described:

Referring. to. the accompanying, drawings in.

which like reference characters indicate; like.

parts throughout:

Figure 1' representsaside eleyationar view: of

one. embodiment; of thepresent invention shown as it appears connectedto; a horizontally-disposed:

Figure 3: represents;- a} vertical: cross-sectional.

view of the embodiment. of Eigure: 1.

Figure 4* represents a -shape ba m ber erm ns part he 1 bediment ofFigures 1 inc-3..

Figure 5 represents a. perspective View of the. front rotatable angle.member or. cap forming part of theembodimentlof-lriguresllto 3]..

system which r p ctive View r; he

Eigures l to. 3 shown as it .side arm {-2- disposed generally :be.hereinafter described.

Figure 6; represents; anenlarged: moreor' less; schematic; fragmentaryelevatiqnal: View. of lineyof juncture on the ,--shaped base'. member;and the rotatable; member of the-embodiment or; appears withthealocleing serrations in interengaged locked position;

Figure 7 represents a; view generally similar to' that of Eigl re; 6;but; showing thelocking, ser rations in separated. ppsition as theywonldtappear While; the: swivelable front member; is being t te r t e othe flh 'ne a -member Fi u 8 e esen V ew. eenew lr simi ar to. at of F rh wi en ther embe -1:.- ment of the presentinventinn;

F u .1 e se iew en r ly: m larto those; of Figures; 3 and 8;;b11tshowingstill, another embodiment of: the present invention.

one embodiment. otthe present inven on: sh w e e llst n: F u es t :3 wear ro e a' wi ela t c men r a hydra l c: grease coupler; which includes.a generally Y shaped.v base; member. to (which may be e of. alumi-num orany other. suitable.- material); The base member: mincludes a; main armH;- and a; at. a 45: degree angle to the main arm l -I-.-

Agenera-lly cylindrical bore I3 isprovided within the: main arm I]; asomewhat reducedpopem ing; |j=4 being= formed at: theforWard-end: ofsaid: arm.

A. screw-threaded socket: Hi is provided at; the rear end of the; side?arm. [:2 and is adaptedt for, detachable; connection to. a fluid linev'21:. the. other end oi theifluidwline l'l being; conneceted to anyconventional means- (not; shown); for: elivering re se or thelikeund rpressure: The side arm i2: is; also provided-Withaconduit 1.8; whichconnects the; socket Hz} with; the cylindrical bore l-3/ofithe mainarmH.

The, swivel attachment: also includes a front; member or can l-9(ofalnminum o any. other. suitable material) which iS- bent. at; agenerally degreean le, and which: is; adapted-Tor con-- mention to: thebase; member to in a; manner; to The member 9 is; provided with.externallyscrew-threadednecic portion 241- which isadapted: for:detachable: con nection to a grease; coupler- 2'15, hittl maybe ahydraulic; or: any other, conventional type: of.

r m he eck The embodiment of Figures 1 to '1 also includes a swivel plug24 (which may be of steel or other suitable material) adapted tointerconnect the base member I and the cap 19. The swivel plug 24includes a generally cylindrical head portion 25 adapted to fit snuglywithin the cylindrical bore l3 of the main arm ll of the base member ID.A transverse slot 26 is formed at the outer end of the head portion 25for cooperation with a screw-driver or other suitable tool.

The swivel plug 24 also includes a reduced elongated shank 21 formedintegrally with the head 25. An axial conduit 28 extends inwardly fromthe front end of the shank 21 and communicates, at its inner end, withone or more radially extending apertures 29 formed in the shank 21somewhat forward of the head 25.

The shank 21 is externally screw-threaded along its forward portion asat 30 for connection within the screw-threaded opening 23 of the cap IS.The tip 3| of the shank 21 is tapered so that, when the plug 24 istightened within the opening 23, the tip 3| will provide a fluid-tightseal with a correspondingly-tapered shoulder formed at the inner end ofthe opening 23 as shown in Figure 3.

A pair of sealing gaskets 32 and 33 (of leather or other suitablecompressible material) are disposed about the unthreaded portion of theshank 21. A helical spring 34 is also disposed upon the unthreadedportion of the shank 21 intermediate the gaskets 32 and 33 and isadapted to exert pressure upon said gaskets through intervenlng metalwashers 35 and 36. The plug 24 is adapted to be inserted from the rearend of the bore 13, through the opening 14, and into the screw-threadedopening 23. The spring 34 is so dimensioned that, when the plug 24 isseated firmly within the opening 23, the

spring will be somewhat compressed, thereby to exert a rearward forceupon the head 25.

The cap I9 is also provided with a set-screw 31 which is adapted to betightened against the portion 30 of the shank 21 to lock it intoposition within the opening 23 and to prevent it from accidentallyworking loose.

The front face of the arm II is peripherally serrated as at 38 while therear face of the cap 19 is correspondingly peripherally serrated as at39.

Normally, the serrations 38 and 39 are in the intermeshed position shownin Figure 6 and are maintained in this interlocked position by thespring 34 which tends to hold the base member and the cap 19 together.

If, however, a manual rotating force is exerted upon the cap 19, the capwill be rotated relative to the base l0 whereupon the serrations 39 willmove relative to the serrations 38 to the position shown in Figure '7.That is, the camming action of the serrations produces an axialcomponent forc which moves the cap l9 somewhat away from the base 10against the force of the spring 34; the spring 34 being somewhat furthercompressed in the process. When the cap I9 is rotated somewhat further,the spring 34 will again snap the serrations back into the intermeshedposition shown in Figure 6. Thus, the cap is now rotated through oneserration relative to the base 10. In the embodiment shown in thedrawings, 12 serrations are provided so that the operation describedabove will result in a 30 degree rotation of the cap I9 relative to thebase Hi.

It is apparent, therefore, that the cap 19 can be rotated through 360degrees relative to the base It) to position the coupler 2i in the mostdesirable position to effectuate connection to any lubricant-receivingnipple or fitting on an automobile chassis or the like. Thus, forexample, when the cap I9 is in the position shown in Figure 1, thecoupler 2| is adapted for ready connection to a horizontally-extendinglubricant-receiving nipple (not shown) when, on the other hand, the capI9 is rotated relative to the base It) to the position shown in Figure2, the coupler 2| is adapted for ready connection to avertically-extending lubricant-receiving nipple.

When the cap l9 has been rotated to the desired position, and thecoupler has been connected to the nipple, grease under pressure isforced through the fluid line 11, the conduit 18, the bore IS, theapertures 29, the conduit 28, the conduit 22 and the neck 20 into thecoupler 21, from which it passes, in conventional manner, into thelubricant-receiving nipple of the system to be lubricated. When thisoccurs, the bore l3 intermediate the gaskets 32 and 33 and the washers35 and 36 is filled with grease under a pressure of several hundredpounds per square inch. This pressure tends to force the head 25 of theplug 24 toward the rear of the bore I3, and in so doing, tends to pullthe cap 19 toward the base 10. Thus, it is obvious that, when lubricantunder pressure, is passing through the swivel attachment and thecoupler, a force many times greater than that normally exerted by thespring 34, pulls the cap 19 and the base I!) together. This force is sogreat as to prevent manual rotation of the cap l9. In other words, whengrease is passing through the fluid line the swivel attachment and thecoupler, the cap I9 is immovably locked into position relative to thebase 10 to prevent accidental rotation thereof. At the same time, thepressure of the grease within the bore 13 forces the sealing gaskets 32and 33 into fluid-tight relationship with the bore 13 and the shank 21.

When the flow of grease is shut off through any conventional means (notshown), the pressure within the bore 13 drops so that only the spring 34looks the cap l9 to the base Ill. Thus, after sufiicient grease has beenforced into one nipple, cutting off of the flow of grease not onlypermits disengagement of the coupler from the fitting but also permitsrotation of the cap 19 relative to the base 10 to facilitate connectionof the coupler to a new differently-positioned nipple.

The novel swivel attachment of the present invention greatly facilitatesgreasing operations since it permits free swiveling of the couplerthrough a full 360 degrees relative to the grease line, and thus isgreatly superior to conventional coupling devices heretofore employedwhich permit only limited swiveling and which are generally lessefficient and dependable in operation.

In Figure 8 we have shown another embodiment of the present inventionwhich is generally similar in construction and operation to theembodiment of Figures 1 to 7. In the embodiment of Figure 8, however,the set-screw ls omitted from the member or cap l9-a.

The base member Ill-11 of Figure 8, instead of being Y-shaped as in theembodiment of Figures 1 to 7, is made generally smoothly curved; thecylindrical bore 1 3--a being somewhat shorter than the bore of Figure 3and being'formed generally at an angle to the underside of said base.

The head portion 25-a of the swivel plug 24-11 is provided with a bevel40 which extends generally iiusnwith. theopen rear end. of the bore 13-.

The, conduit. 8:-a..v isinwardly tapered from-- Theoperation of theembodiment of Figure-d is. the. same as described hereinabove inconnection withthe embodiment orFigures 1 to-7.

In Figure 9 We have shown still another embodiment of the; presentinvention.

Thebase- Ill-a of the embodiment of Figure 9 is identical with the basementof Figure 8 described hereinabove.

However,., the swivel plug 2.4b (instead of being a. separate elementadapted for removable connection to the cap asin. the embodiments. ofFigures 1 to 8) isformedas an integral part of the. cap |9.b, and thehead. 25 .b, is screwthreadedly connected: thereto as at 41.

Ifhe. embodiment of Figure 9 may be. assembled. by first. inserting theportion 24-00:" the cap. 1-9 into the bore Ida-a, thereafter installing,the sealing gaskets; washers and sprin on the portion 24.-b. from therear end of the bore lie-a; and. finally-screwing on the head 25-12.

The operation of the embodiment of Figure 9 is. identical with thatdescribed-.hereinabove in connection. with the embodiment. of Figures 1to 7.

The. present invention may be embodied in other. specific forms withoutdeparting from the spirit. or. essential, attributes thereof, and it istherefore desired that; the present embodiments be consideredin. allrespects as illustrative and not, restrictive, reference being ha to theappended. claims rather than to the foregoing description to indicate(the scope of the invention.

Having thusdescribed claim asnew and desire to protect by LettersPatentis:

l. Aswivel. attachment. for hydraulic lubrlcating systems or. the likecomprising a base having an inlet conduit formed therein, an angle caphaving an outlet. conduit formed therein,. said base and said cap havingjuxtaposed serrated faces, means swivelably connecting saidcap to said,base; means for spring. tensioning said cap against saidbase whereby thejuxtaposed serrated' faces yieldably lock said cap relative to saidbase, andameans actuated by hydraulic pressure of fluid passing throughsaid attachment for immovably locking position relative to said base.

2. A swivel attachment for hydraulic lubricating systems or the likecomprising a, base having a. cylinder formed therein and having an inletconduit communicating. with said. cylinder, an anglecap.having..an.outlet.conduit and being disposed atithe. front. end ofsaidbase, said cap and said; base having. juxtaposed serrated aperturedfaces, means swivelably connecting said cap to said base, saidconnecting means including a plug having a cylindrical head portionslidably disposed generally at the rear end of said cylinder and havinga reduced apertured shank extending through said cylinder and connectedWithin said cap, said apertured shank and said cylinder providing acontinuous fluid passageway intermediate said inlet and outlet conduits,spring means normally tensioning said head portion rearwardly withinsaid cylinder whereby said juxtaposed serrated faces provide yieldableinterlock between said cap and said base, and means for immovablyinterlocking said cap and said base l0a of the embodi-- our invention,what we said cap in predetermined:

fluid-ti ht: relationship during; passage or, fluid;

under pressure-therethrough;

3: A. swivel attachment forhydraulic. lubricat-- ing systems or; thelike comprising a base; having a cylinder formed therein. and-1 havin aninlet conduit communicating with said cylinder generallyintermediat theends thereof,. an angle: can having an. outlet conduit and being;disposed at the-frontend' of said base; saidi cap; and said base havingjuxtaposed serrated lapertured. faces,

means: swivelably connecting. said. can. to: said base, said connectingmeans-including a plughaving; av cylindrical having a reduced:

cap said aperturedshanki and said; cylinder pro.- vid-i-ng acontinuous-fluid: passageway intermediate said inlet and outletconduits, sealing gaskets disposed: about saidshanlc. generally at" theends. ofsaid cylinder,, and

portion rearwardly within; said-.- cylinder: whereby said juxtaposed.serrated. facesv provide yieldable interlocki between said; cap and"said; base; said head. portion being urged rearwardly within said;

ing. systems: or they like comprising. a; base. haying;

acylinder formed therein-an: inlet conduit adapt.- ed. for. connection:to. a lubricant-delivery line,

said..- inletconduit being formed generally at. an. angle to saidcylinder and-communicating withu said cylinder-generally intermediate;therendsof.

said cylinder, an angle candisposedat the; front.

end of said: base, saidi cap havingra; screw threa'diedopening formedtherein generallycoeaxially with the cylinder of. said base. and having.an

outlet conduitcommunicating with the inner end of said screw-threadedopeningand. angularly related thereto, said base. and said caphavingjuxtaposedserrated aperturedfaces, a swivel plug having; acylindrical. head portion. slidably mount ed generally at the rear endof said: cylinder and having a reduced apertured. shank extendingthrough said. cylinder. and: said apertured faces;- theprot-rudingportion of. said shankbein externally; screw -threaded; and. beingconnected within the screw-threaded. opening. ofsaid cap; said aperturedshank, and: said' cylinder provid ing a continuous fluid:- passagewayvintermediate said. inlet and outlet. conduits; compressible sealinggaskets disposed about said: shank generally at the endsof saidcylinder, and a helical spring dis-posed about said shank generally.intermediate said sealing gaskets, said spring normally tensioning.said. head portionzrearwardly within said cylinder whereby saidjuxtaposed serrated faces provide yieldable interlock between said capand said base to permit positioning of said cap in any one of aplurality of rotatably-displaced position relative to said base, saidhead portion being urged rearwardly within said cylinder by thehydraulic pressure of fluid passing through said attachment therebyimmovably to lock said cap in predetermined position relative to saidbase.

5. A swivel attachment for hydraulic lubricating systems or the likecomprising a base having a cylinder formed therein, an inlet conduitadapted for connection to a lubricant-delivery line, said inlet conduitbeing formed generally at head portion slidably' disposed-. generallyat; the: reanend: of said cylinder. and. apertured shank extending.through said cylinder. and connected? within; said a helical; springdisposed: about said shank generally intermediate said. gaskets;saidspring normally tensioningsaidlhea'de in. predetermined position anangle to said cylinder and communicatin with said cylinder generallyintermediate the ends of said cylinder, an angle cap disposed at thefront end of said base, said cap having a screwthreaded opening formedtherein generally coaxially with the cylinder of said base and having anoutlet conduit communicating with the inner end of said screw-threadedopening and angularly; related thereto, said cap having a screwthreadedneck at the front end of said outlet conduit for detachable connectionto a hydraulic grease coupler or the like, said base and said cap havingjuxtaposed serrated apertured faces, a swivel plug having a cylindricalhead portion slidably mounted generally at the rear end of said cylinderand having a reduced apertured shank extending through said cylinder andsaid apertured faces, the protruding portion of said shank beingexternally screw-threaded, and being connected within the screw-threadedopening of said cap, said cap having a set-screw adapted to lock thescrew-threaded portion of said shank within the screw-threaded openingof said cap, said apertured shank and said cylinder providing acontinuous fluid passageway intermediate said inlet and outlet conduits,compressible sealing gaskets disposed about said shank generally at theends of said cylinder, and a helical spring disposed about said shankgenerally intermediate said sealing gaskets, said spring normallytensioning said head portion rearwardly within said cylinder wherebysaid juxtaposed serrated faces provide yieldable interlock between saidcap and said base to permit positioning of said cap in any one of aplurality of rotatably-displaced positions relative to said base, saidhead portion being urged rearwardly within said cylinder by thehydraulic pressure of fluid passing through said attachment therebyimmovably to lock said cap in predetermined position relative to saidbase.

6. A device of the character described comprising a base having acylinder formed therein, an inlet conduit adapted for connection to afluiddelivery line, said inlet conduit being formed generally at anangle to said cylinder and communicating therewith generallyintermediate the ends thereof, an angle cap disposed at the front end ofsaid base, said cap having an outlet conduit formed therein, anaxially-apertured swivel member carried by said cap and extending withinsaid cylinder, an enlarged head portion carried by the free end of saidswivel member and adapted for fluid-tight reciprocation within saidcylinder, said swivel member having a radial opening formed therein toprovide a generally continuous passageway from the inlet conduit,through the cylinder, the apertured swivel member and the outletconduit, said cap and said base having juxtaposed serrated faces formedthereon, a helical spring mounted upon said swivel member and withinsaid cylinder, said spring normally tensioning said enlarged headportion rearwardly within said cylinder whereby said juxtaposed serratedfaces provide yieldable interlock between said cap and said base topermit positioning of said cap in any one of a plurality ofrotatablydisplaced positions relative to said base, said enlarged headportion being urged rearwardly within said cylinder by the hydraulicpressure of fluid passing through said device from the inlet opening tothe outlet opening thereby immovably to lock said cap in predeterminedposition relative to said base.

7. A device of the character described comprising abase having acylinder formed therein, an inlet conduit adapted for connection to afluid-delivery line, said inlet conduit being formed generally at anangle to said cylinder and communicating therewith generallyintermediate the ends thereof, an angle cap disposed at the front end ofsaid base, said cap having an outlet conduit formed therein, anaxially-apertured swivel member formed integrally with said cap andextending therefrom into said cylinder, an enlarged head detachablyconnected at the rear end of said swivel member, said head being adaptedfor fluidtight reciprocation within said cylinder, said swivel memberhaving a radial opening formed therein to provide a generally continuouspassageway from the inlet conduit, through the cylinder, the aperturedswivel member and the outlet conduit, said cap and said base havingjuxtaposed serrated faces formed thereon, a helical spring mounted uponsaid swivel member and within said cylinder, said spring normallytensioning said enlarged head portion rearwardly within said cylinderwhereby said juxtaposed serrated faces provide yieldable interlockbetween said cap and said base to permit positioning of said cap in anyone of a plurality of rotatablydisplaced positions relative to saidbase, said enlarged head portion being urged rearwardly within saidcylinder by the hydraulic pressure of fluid passing through said devicefrom the inlet opening to the outlet opening thereby immovably to locksaid cap in predetermined position relative to said base.

ROBERT T. MCELHOSE.

RICHARD R. FARRELL.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS

